Ichiro a future.....Mariner?

Question

The rumor is that he is very unhappy playing for this sorry team. The management has done nothing to make it more competitive and he wants to go where there is a possiblility that he could win a championship.

They say his next contract will be too much money for the sad Mariners and that New York or Boston could get him.

I would like him to leave Seattle and get the ring he deserves (plus my selfish motive is that I have a ton of his rookie cards, and I would make a small fortune if he gets that ring). Do you feel that he will stay a Mariner, or leave to the east coast?

If you think he will leave...would you try and trade him now...to get something?

Answer 1

Ichiro is probably going to be leaving Seattle after 2007, because one look at the "improvements" the Mariners made this offseason doesn't make the future look too bright in the Emerald City.

I'd expect the M's to make some sort of move around midseason, about the time they realize the team is in the tank and Ichiro has turned down any sort of contract extension they throw his way.

Expect him to get dumped to some one in the NL, most likely the Giants or Dodgers or some other West Coast team. But in the offseason I'd expect either the Yankees, Red Sox or Mets to make the hardest push for him, although San Francisco seems like a good fit for Ichiro as well and he would make a great offensive centerpiece for the post-Bonds era by the bay.

The Yankees can add Ichiro at the expense of Bobby Abreu, which essentially means Abreu is auditioning to keep his job with a $16 million option or a $2 million buy-out awaiting him at the end of 2007. This would give the Yankees a potent lead-off hitter to fill in as decline-phase Johnny Damon and his bum knees slowly works his way down in the order.

The Red Sox could use Ichiro in CF and move Coco Crisp either to LF upon another possible departure of Manny Ramirez or they could use Ichiro in RF if the JD Drew (yet to be finalized) can't get worked out and the Red Sox finally wash their hands of it. The most likely option, however, is that the Red Sox will pursue Andruw Jones to add a right-handed power bat that can replace some of Manny's production once he leaves town. The Red Sox do have an advantage in the Ichiro sweepstakes, however, a a result of their two Japanese imports to the pitching staff this offseason.

The Mets make a lot of sense as they have Shawn Green in RF and would love to improve by adding Ichiro's bat, defense and speed to an already dangerous and young lineup. Ichiro's spot in the lineup might be in question, however, as there is no way Jose Reyes is going to lose the spot at the top of the lineup and pretty much the rest of the lineup through the six-hole is a lock. Unless of course the Mets let LoDuca walk after this season and then Ichiro could slip comfortably into his 2-hole in the lineup.

I'd expect Ichiro to go where he can get a ring and make some money and all three of these destinations...as well as San Francisco make some sense.

Answer 2

Next season will be his last in Seattle. Two motives for Ichiro will be winning and money....Seattle has neither. The Yankees and the Red Sox will be the most interested. The Yankees will have an option of Ichiro or giving Bobby Abreau a 16 million dollar option for 2008. They'll be interested. The Red Sox will also look into his services to replace Coco Crisp in Center Field. I'm not sure where Ichiro prefers to play but I think that several teams will look into his services other than just those two teams. But I don't think he'll be a Mariner next season.

Answer 3

Ichiro is of course quite unhappy due to the Mariners' lack of improvement, and no one can truly blame him. With the money base of that club, they should be much more able to land talented players, or re-sign them, but choose not to. That situation is not what a motivated player like Ichiro cares to find himself in, however...
The most likely prospect for him in America is then, of course, the Yankees. They are an annual contender and their ability to pretty much outbid anyone else would have to be alluring to anyone. In addition,his friendship with Hideki Matsui is a bonus.
However, there is an even greater possibilty that no one else that has responded to this question has brought up: Ichiro has a definite desire to return to his homeland following the completion of his contract with the M's. That desire will most likely come to fruition unless he is wooed away from it by the guaranteed promise of a whole bunh of dinero, as well as his hopeful desire to become the first Japanese player to be inducted into our Hall of Fame, which is of course a definite possibility if he can play enough years to build up his Hall of Fame like numbers. I as a fan hope he stays.

Answer 4

Ichiro stays in Seattle,not even up for debate

Answer 5

I had not heard that rumor, BUT if he was to depart I would LOVE to see him in pinstripes.. I have only seen this guy play in person ONCE... But he not only has unbelievable vision but also can track down almost anything hit in his GENERAL direction.........This MAN would be a fantastic addition to ANY team.........

Answer 6

I don't think they'll keep him. I'd like to see him go to Boston or San Francisco, my two teams, I'd prefer to see him in San Francisco so I could go to the games (neve been to Boston)

Answer 7

If he does leave, I would like to see the Yankees pick him up. If we get him, there probably won't be any room for Abreu. I would like to see Ichiro in Yankee pinstripes.

Answer 8

well i think he might leave after his contract is up so they should trade him and get something in return instead of quite possibly being left without getting anything for him in return

Answer 9

He will remain a Mariner for his entire career. It's a thing called loyalty, considerably important to the Japanese and no so important to Americans. Witness Clemens and Petite.

Chow!!

Answer 10

if he leaves i dont think he would play in ny but hes a good player